Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister accept that an increase in grant funding is needed, especially in those areas where a longer period of storage will be imposed? Does she accept that the current situation, where those with under 20 livestock units are ineligible for grant aid, must be changed? Otherwise, that sector will disappear. Can the Minister give us an assurance that proposals are being drafted in that regard? If any structures are to be put in place this year and given that planning permission and so forth must be taken into account, it is long past time there was a degree of certainty on this issue. I appreciate the Minister's problems in this matter.

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